When traveling through Italy on a limited schedule, clients don’t want to switch hotels every night or two. Sometimes, the best bet is to choose a base for your clients and plan extraordinary day trips so they can get a diverse feel for the country.
And fewer cities in Italy are better jumping-off points than the iconic capital of Rome. Whether your clients want to visit wineries, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historic ruins or even another major city with a completely different feel, these are the five best day trips from Rome.
Cortona
What’s any trip to Italy without a little Tuscan flair? Cortona, the charming town that inspired Frances Mayes’ novel “Under the Tuscan Sun,” overlooks the Val di Chiana and is as dreamy as it gets. While Cortona does require a longer commute for a day trip (roughly 2.5 hours by car or train one way), it’s worth the trek if your clients are seeking something entirely different from the bustling city of Rome.
/Cortona-offers-some-of-the-world%e2%80%99s-best-olives-and.jpg?tr=w-768%2Ch-432%2Cfo-auto "Cortona offers some of the world’s best olives and truffles.")
Cortona offers some of the world’s best olives and truffles.
Credit: 2025 Visit Tuscany
Roads lined with olive groves and vineyards will lead them to the ancient walls of Cortona, where there’s no shortage of some of the world’s best olives and truffles, depending on the season. If clients are particularly interested in wine, Tuscany has them covered — they can sample Cortona DOC wines, including Syrah and Vin Santo, directly from local producers, coordinated by the town’s active wine consortium.
Naples
As someone who has been to every major city in Italy, let me help dispel rumors about one of the most misunderstood: Naples. What was once referred to as “dangerous” and “dirty” is finally having its moment. Naples is merely an hour train ride from Rome on the high-speed Frecciarossa train, making it a viable option for one day.
Naples was badly destroyed during World War II, and a great way for clients to find out more about this history is by arranging a tour to visit the city’s underground caves at Napoli Sotterranea, where, in just one hour, guests can learn about past living conditions. Beyond WWII, if history is a priority, send clients to visit Count Dracula’s tomb, located at the Monumental Complex of Santa Maria La Nova.
Naples is the birthplace of pizza, and your clients should have the best. Send them to L’antica Pizzeria da Michele for its famous “Eat, Pray, Love” pizza — it’s worth the hype (and the wait). If they’re more into visiting a local favorite, Taverna Luciana offers frittatina (fried pasta), pasta patate e provola (pasta with potato and provola cheese) and pasta Genovese (a slow-cooked onion and beef ragu).
To beat the stereotype of gritty Naples (and if clients do want to spend a night here), consider a stay at Romeo Napoli, where guests can float in an infinity pool while watching the sunset over Mount Vesuvius.
Orvieto
Umbria is the only landlocked region in the country that is often skipped entirely, but Orvieto, a striking hilltop town, makes for an easy day trip from Rome. Orvieto is dramatically perched above a volcanic cliff, and it’s home to Duomo di Orvieto, one of the most underrated cathedrals in Italy.
Plus, although nearby Tuscany is almost solely known for its red wines, Orvieto produces the incredible Orvieto Classico white wine. For a perfect day, have clients explore the historic city center for an hour or so — they can ride the funicular for panoramic views — before sending them down to Famiglia Cotarella for a tasting. The family-run winery has roots dating back to 1920 and exhibits the quintessential passion of Italian winemakers, with a mission to revive Umbria’s forgotten grape varieties.
Ostia Antica
It’s likely your clients have heard of the famous ruins of Pompeii, but have they heard of Ostia Antica?
“I call this the ‘better Pompeii,’ and I'm not kidding,” said Christina Gales, founder of Christina Gales Travel. “It's 30 minutes on the metro from Rome. You'll basically have the place to yourself.”
/History-lovers-can-enjoy-prominent-sites-like-the-.jpeg?tr=w-768%2Ch-432%2Cfo-auto "History lovers can enjoy prominent sites like the Castle of Julius II, Renaissance village Borgo of Ostia Antica and the Fiumicino Roman Ships Museum.")
History lovers can enjoy prominent sites like the Castle of Julius II, Renaissance village Borgo of Ostia Antica and the Fiumicino Roman Ships Museum.
Credit: 2025 Christina Gales TravelAs an avid traveler to Italy, Pompeii is a destination I avoid just as much as Pisa due to the crowds, but Ostia Antica is a well-kept secret. Your clients will feel like they’ve truly stumbled upon something that few have even heard of. The Ostia Antica Archaeological Park includes prominent sites such as the Castle of Julius II and Renaissance village Borgo of Ostia Antica. There's also the Fiumicino Roman Ships Museum, home to five vessels discovered during the construction of Rome’s main Leonardo da Vinci International Airport.
Tivoli
Tivoli flew under the radar for quite some time, but it has grown to become one of Rome’s most popular day-trip options. Although a big draw is the 45-minute commute by train, it’s the town itself that truly intrigues visitors.
In Tivoli, clients can visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Villa d’Este to feel like they’re in a real-life fairytale. Here, they’ll explore Renaissance gardens, admire plethoras of fountains and marvel at stunning frescoes. Another UNESCO site is Villa Adriana, where clients will be treated to Emperor Hadrian’s second-century retreat filled with ruins, pools, bathhouses and ancient art.
Tivoli is easy to explore on one’s own thanks to the efficient train, but if clients don’t feel like doing the heavy lifting of planning, reputable companies such as Access Italy and ToursbyLocals provide private drivers and English-speaking guides, with pickup and drop-off at Rome hotels.
